Posts Tagged ‘subaru outback recall’

The 2012 Subaru Legacy is one of the models impacted by Subaru's new recall.

This story has been revised to clarify that only a select group of Subaru vehicles will actually need repairs. The automaker, however, needs owner help in identifying which ones.

The New Year has gotten off to a bad start – for Subaru, anyway. The maker is being forced to recall nearly 634,000 sedans, wagons and crossovers due to an electrical problem that could lead to a vehicle fire.

More precisely, says Subaru, it will notify owners of 633,842 relatively late-model vehicles they may be subject to a recall, though only about 54,000 of those Subaru products will actually need to undergo repairs.

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Subaru is just the latest in a string of makers, including Toyota, Ford and General Motors, who have had to recall millions of vehicles over the last 12 months due to defects that could lead to fires. In this case, the problem is located in a faulty puddle lamp where wiring could short out if exposed to moisture, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Another in a growing list of electronic control recalls. What happens when cars age?

Subaru of America is recalling 74,000 Outback and Legacy 2010 models because of defective wiring in the steering column.

It is part of a larger global problem, where the Japanese initially tried to fix the issue with a service bulletin claiming it was an isolated defect.

The wiring in a steering column connector located behind the steering wheel may develop stress cracks and eventually break. If this were to happen, many electrical components may not operate as intended, including the airbag, which makes this a safety related defect.

Recalls!

Possible circuits affected are the driver’s frontal airbag, paddle shifter function, cruise control, horn control and radio function. It is just the latest example of how the growing use of electronic controls in automobiles leaves them vulnerable to safety defects and service problem.

Subaru of America has started a safety recall to inspect and maybe replace the transmission fluid cooler inlet hose on more than 29,000 2010 Legacy and Outback models.

It has also issued a “stop sale” of Legacy and Outback models.

The cars in question are equipped with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) produced between July 31, 2009 and December 1, 2009.

Some of the cars were made with a transmission fluid cooler inlet hose (located at the lower end of the radiator) that was improperly formed during manufacturing. As a result, the hose could unexpectedly split allowing transmission fluid to leak.

Subaru told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that there is a potential safety risk: If a hose splits and leaks transmission fluid, transfer of engine power to the wheels will diminish, leading to vehicle power loss. This could happen without warning.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on or around June 1, 2010. Owners can contact Subaru at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru’s recall campaign number is WVQ-27.